The Toronto Maple Leafs fired Mike Babcock on Wednesday.
Replacing Babcock as coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs is Toronto Marlies coach Sheldon Keefe.
With a new head coach at the helm, the Leafs are looking to turn this season around, especially after losing six straight games.
It was a shocking move – partly because when Babcock wasn’t fired after the Pittsburgh game, it seemed like he’d at least get the road trip to figure it out – but not one that was totally unexpected.
Babcock has long seemed to be on a different wavelength from the analytics heavy Maple Leafs management team, and a parting of the ways seemed inevitable.
It might not have ended well for Babcock, but he did have a great run as Leafs coach, taking the team from the absolute basement and making the playoffs three years straight.
Toronto Maple Leafs President and Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan announced today that Mike Babcock has been relieved of his coaching duties and Sheldon Keefe has been named the Club’s new head coach. #LeafsForever
— Leafs PR (@LeafsPR) November 20, 2019
It’s hard to know what the Leafs will be getting in Keefe, other than someone who is massively respected and beloved by seemingly every player he’s ever coached.
To help you get to know the Toronto Maple Leafs new head coach, here are five quick facts about Sheldon Keefe and his journey to the NHL.